As if a fourth consecutive defeat at the weekend wasn’t enough, the problems continue to mount for relegation battlers Ajaccio.
According to L’Équipe, Algerian winger Youcef Belaïli has told the club that he intends to remain in his home country last week’s international break, reportedly due to an adductor injury which he intends to have treated there. That issue had already seen him miss games in February and would explain why he came off at the hour mark in the last match before the international break, against Monaco.
Having played twice while on international duty, Belaïli has sent the club management a picture of an ultrasound scan via text message in order to prove his injury. Although he should, in theory, ask for the club’s permission before being treated externally, Ajaccio have decided to leave the situation as it is for the time being, despite their confusion. Sporting Director Johan Cavalli declined to comment when contacted by L’Équipe, while local reports indicate Belaïli is with his family in his home city of Oran.
The 31-year-old, whose contract with Brest was terminated in autumn after reportedly failing to settle in Brittany and suffering from his family’s absence, has six goals and five assists so far this campaign. A similar situation had occurred in March 2022, when the forward did not show any signs for three days after the international break. This year, his contract with Ajaccio expires at the end of the season.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
